Belmont Farmers' Market

Belmont Farmers' Market centers its mission on bringing local produce and goods directly from farmers and producers, and that focus comes through in a vendor lineup that runs from nearby farms to prepared-food makers and pantry staples. Set at Cross Street and Channing Road in Belmont Center, the market runs in the municipal parking lot behind the stores on Leonard Street, giving it a practical in-town location for weekly shopping. The market is a project of Belmont Food Collaborative, Inc., with Mireia Carpio serving as market manager.

Why it matters locally

Belmont Farmers' Market is organized as a project of Belmont Food Collaborative, Inc., tying the weekly market to a broader local food effort rather than a stand-alone event. Its mission emphasizes direct access to local produce and goods from farmers and producers in a congenial atmosphere. Food access is also built into the market's own programming: Opening Day includes the 5th annual Food Assistance Information Fair, where statewide and local organizations share information about food assistance benefits and address food insecurity in Belmont. The market also partners with Food Link in Arlington to collect food at the end of market days for distribution to agencies around Greater Boston.

What you'll find there

The vendor mix leans heavily toward weekly grocery shopping, with multiple farms, breads, prepared foods, pantry items, drinks, and a small arts-and-garden presence in the same market. The range is broad without losing its farm base, so a single stop can cover vegetables, fish, meat, baked goods, dumplings, maple syrup, coffee, and flowers.

• -Find produce from Dick’s Market Garden.
• -Pick up produce connected to Drumlin Farm and Mass Audubon.
• -Shop vegetables and other farm goods from The Good Food Farm.
• -Look for Hutchins Farm produce.
• -Add berries and farm goods from Joyberry Farms.
• -Bring home produce from Nicewicz Family Farm.
• -Choose seafood from Hooked Fish/Evergreen Delivery.
• -Get meat from Lilac Hedge Farm.
• -Stock up on farm goods from Round Table Farm.
• -Grab bagels from Boulder Bagels.
• -Order prepared foods from Galley Provisions.
• -Take home loaves and baked goods from Hi-Rise Bread Company.
• -Try pastries from Lucky Bao Bakery.
• -Stop for baked goods and cafe items from Ovenbird Cafe.
• -Sample sweets from Sweet from Scratch.
• -Eat on-site with Crepe du Jour or Del Sur empanadas.
• -Pack in prepared foods from The Hummus Shop and Mei Mei Dumplings.
• -Add pantry staples from Pinch Dab Dash spice blends, Solstice Small Batch Pasta and Provisions, and WLDFLR flour.
• -Pour maple syrup from Akerman Maple Farm or honey from Miss Mary’s Honey.
• -Sip coffees from Flores de Café and Terrarium Coffee.
• -Browse flowers and art from Buzz + Thrive Gardens, Forest of Bliss Studio, and Belmont Art Association.

Opening Day on June 4 pairs the first market of the season with the Food Assistance Information Fair. Other scheduled market-day programs include Sustainability Day with free electronic waste recycling on June 11, Art at the Market with BHS students on June 18, POP Club Activity Days on the last Thursday of the month, WIC FMNP coupon distribution on July 23, and a National Farmers’ Market Week celebration on August 6.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the clearest policy detail to plan around before you head over. The market is held in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot at the intersection of Cross Street and Channing Road, and it uses 10 Claflin Street for GPS directions. It sits behind the stores on Leonard Street. On arrival, you can use the market lot and should observe parking regulations on the street and in the lot; bicycle parking is also available. The site notes nearby access from the MBTA commuter train and the 74 and 75 bus stops in Belmont Center.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Belmont Farmers' Market. The market's food assistance program also states that SNAP benefits are doubled there, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons are doubled for WIC families and eligible seniors. On July 23, Cambridge Health Alliance comes to the market to distribute WIC FMNP coupons to WIC families.